ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Prosecutors on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, charged Charles Brown Jr., 23, of Florissant, Mo., after authorities said he tried to flee arrest Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, in a stolen vehicle at a gas station on Page Avenue, dragged a detective and prompted another detective to fire at the vehicle.
The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued charges Sept. 15, 2026, against Brown, of the 1000 block of Lees Lane, including first-degree assault or attempt involving serious physical injury or a special victim, first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle, first-degree endangering the welfare of a child creating substantial risk, and resisting or interfering with arrest for a felony.
Brown is being held on a $500,000 cash-only bond with no 10% option, prosecutors said.
According to the probable cause statement, a warrant for Brown’s arrest was issued Sept. 14 through the 21st Judicial Circuit Court of St. Louis County. He had been charged with unlawful use of a weapon, first-degree tampering and possession of a controlled substance, all felonies.
Florissant detectives learned Brown was operating a stolen 2013 Hyundai Sonata and tracked it to a gas station on Page Avenue, the statement said. Detectives saw Brown enter the gas station, then entered the parking lot to arrest him on the outstanding warrants.
The statement said detectives announced loudly that they were police, wore police equipment including badges and vests marked “POLICE,” and had their vehicles’ emergency equipment activated. As officers arrived, Brown exited the store and ran to the Sonata, entering the driver’s side before detectives could intercept him, according to the statement.
Detectives told Brown he was under arrest and ordered him to surrender, but he did not comply, the statement said. One detective reached into the open driver’s side of the vehicle to try to prevent Brown from fleeing. Brown then reversed abruptly, causing the detective to be dragged by the Sonata, according to the statement.
The detective suffered multiple injuries, including lacerations to his head, shoulder and shins, and was taken to a hospital for treatment, prosecutors said. Another detective, fearing for the safety of his fellow officer, fired at the vehicle and struck it, according to the statement.
Brown continued to flee at a high rate of speed, the statement said. Authorities later determined Brown’s 12-year-old brother was in the vehicle at the time.
The St. Louis County Police Department Bureau of Crimes Against Persons is leading the investigation.
Charges are accusations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
